I must start making plans!

When you belong to a group, such as writing or reading, or ukulele playing or shanty singing or an art group, as Christmas approaches plans are made for a seasonal get-together and celebration. There’s a difficulty if you belong to too many groups that you may have double bookings! Fortunately this hasn’t happened to either of us this year. I met with my writing chums two weeks ago which I wrote about afterwards as it ended with a spectacular parachute roll from me. Last week my reading group got together which I also mentioned, which was so sociable that we didn’t get round to doing the Christmas book quiz I had!

Today it was my husband’s art group’s turn and I was very grateful for an invitation to join them as they had their Christmas jolly at the great local hotel, Beachlands. We celebrated with crackers and traditional fare – I had roast turkey and all that you might expect to go with it, but there were other delights on offer including a vegetarian option. There was Christmas pudding available, but I preferred local cheese and biscuits. Last week I was also included in the shanty band meal which was somewhat more ribald than the artists, but equally good fun. I was also invited to the ukulele band bash, but that was at the same time I was entertaining my reading chums.

Christmas Day is five days away and our little family will have the customary turkey, roasties, vegetables, gravy, sauces, and then I have a surprise planned instead of Christmas pudding. It will however be a little different from usual as we will be eating in the evening as one of the children is working and doesn’t finish until late. So we will have a light Christmas lunch of some sort, but we have yet to decide exactly what we will be eating. Maybe salmon? Maybe a quiche or tart? Maybe a selection of cold meats and cheeses? I must start making plans!